Approximately 100 million Americans suffer from pain lasting longer than six months. Chronic, long lasting pain can be due to an injury or conditions like fibromyalgia or arthritis. People with chronic pain can become less active because of their pain, resulting in decreased muscle flexibility and strength, decreased activity endurance and unbalanced postures. When someone has chronic pain, it can be difficult to know how to start an exercise program safely without aggravating the pain. Exercise should be an important part of everyone’s routine, especially if you have chronic pain. Exercise releases natural endorphins, or brain chemicals, that help improve your mood while also blocking pain signals into the blood stream. Exercise has another pain-reducing effect: it strengthens muscles, helping prevent re-injury and further pain.

This is where physical therapy within the Pain Management Program at Mercy Medical Center can help. Physical therapy starts with an individualized assessment to determine each person’s individual needs. Just as people have different body types, they have different patterns of movement, different alignments and different habits. Physical therapists monitor each individual and develop a program to correct what is causing pain. Most home exercise programs include gentle stretching, strengthening exercises, pain relief exercises and low-impact aerobic conditioning. If you want to learn about water exercise options or transition to a gym exercise routine, physical therapy can help with that, too. Continue Reading »

According to a new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42 percent of American adults will be obese by 2030. Currently, 34 percent of adults are obese. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index, or BMI, of 30 or above.

Obesity seems to be rising among higher-income men while severe obesity (BMI greater than 40) is increasing in both sexes.

Obesity is a serious condition that shortens life and leads to other chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease to name a few. In addition, the rising rate of obesity slows down efforts to limit health care costs, which have skyrocketed in the last few years. Some estimates cite that compared to healthy weight individuals, obese adults spend close to $1,500 more in medical expenses each year.

The obesity epidemic has been cited as one of the most pressing health issues facing the nation today. To draw attention to it, a national public education campaign will be launched with the broadcast of a documentary called The Weight of the Nation.

The Weight of the Nation is a four-part documentary series. Parts one and two premiere Monday at 8/7c. Parts three and four premiere Tuesday at 8/7c. HBO will drop its subscriber fees during the premier and stream the episodes of “The Weight of the Nation” in English and Spanish at HBO.com to make them widely accessible to the public. Continue Reading »

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